AROUND ANASTASIA ISLAND: Lakeside Park secrets revealed

Thursday

Aug 2, 2018 at 2:01 AMAug 2, 2018 at 3:57 AM

Thousands of vehicles pass by the City of St. Augustine Beach City Hall and the nearby St. Augustine Beach Police Department on a daily basis, but it’s what’s located on the east and south areas of that parcel of city-owned land that is somewhat of an island secret, known by many, but shared by few. Visitors who frequent the area are hesitant to discuss it for fear of losing their somewhat secluded sanctuary.

Located in the 2300 block of A1A South, the area is home to Lakeside Park which includes a Veterans Memorial, a sculpture garden and a lake.

According to St. Augustine Beach City Manager Max Royle, the park was developed around 2003 with the help of an urban forestry grant from the state. In 2005, a local youth, Joshua Longstreet, made improvements as part of an Eagle Scout project. The Veterans Memorial was designed by local architect Mike Stauffer in 2009 and is now the site of the city’s annual Veterans Day observance.

The sculptures are the work of Italian born, and now deceased, Thomas Glover White. Installation of the original works began in 2010 and the Sculpture Garden was dedicated in 2011.

Joggers, walkers, cyclists, those with pets (on leashes) and anyone who just wants to enjoy the environment are among frequent visitors to Lakeside Park, which includes walkable paths, benches for rest stops, picnic tables and a boardwalk. It is also pet friendly.

Perhaps the best kept secret about the park is Lake Anhinga which is stocked with a variety of fish. According to Royle, the lake is a former coquina quarry. Royle cites a 1960 aerial photo of the city that hangs in city hall that shows the existence of the lake which is named Anhinga, after the bird that is sometimes called a snakebird or water turkey.

When in town, John Miele, a retiree who switches his time between St. Augustine Beach and Boston, likes to take early morning walks through Lakeside Park with Dante, his Patterdale terrier.

“On many mornings it is misty and mysterious as the steam rises up from the lake giving a haunting visual effect,” Miele said.

“Yes, there are Anhingas at the lake. The birds are often seen at the lake, not in flocks, but arrive one by one as they sit in wait and then, when the time is right, dive underwater for their meal. There are also dozens of egrets that sleep in the high fir trees just north of the lake,” he added.

Miele said he is often surprised at the fish catches he sees year round. An avid nature photographer, he has, with permission, photographed many of those catches including one man with a number of tilapia and another fisherman with more than a dozen mullet. He’s also seen an alligator or two lurking in and around the lake.

While fishing has been mostly from the banks of the lake, there is now a fishing pier that’s frequented by all ages utilizing a variety of fishing equipment — some homemade, some more sophisticated.

Swimming is not allowed, and you won’t find vendors with food, beverages or fishing gear at Lakeside Park. Nor can you purchase bait, so if you plan to go fishing, bring your own supplies. Royle noted that a fishing license is not required at the lake which is open 24-7. Park admission and parking are free. Parking is available in the city’s lot between city hall and the police station. A small parking lot is also available on the park’s north side where Old Beach Road ends behind the police station.

• St. Augustine Beach will join thousands of communities nationwide to celebrate National Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7 at the St. Augustine Beach Pier, 350 A1A Beach Boulevard. The free event is presented locally by the St. Augustine Beach Police Department in conjunction with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Augustine Police Department.

The community is invited to the festival, a unique crime/drug-prevention event presented nationwide by the National Association of Town Watch, an organization dedicated to crime and drug prevention and safety awareness.

The local event will feature free food and beverages, music, exhibitors, free goodie bags, raffles for locally donated prizes and exhibitors. Law enforcement personnel will be on hand to answer questions and emergency vehicles will be on display.

For information, call 471-3600.

• Students will go back to school next week as the 2018-19 school year begins in St. Johns County. That means homework assignments also resume.

St. Johns County public libraries will be available to help with top resources for students. Homework may be easier with the support of a Brainfuse online tutor. Students who need immediate help from a librarian can chat with a librarian instantly through the library’s Ask A Librarian service. Students can even use a mobile phone to text a librarian at 904-507-6268 for instant research, resource or citation assistance.

The system offers eBooks, research databases for elementary, middle and high schoolers, and online language-learning through Pronunciator. Students can also borrow materials from other academic and public libraries through the Interlibrary Loan service.

To learn more about the library’s research and learning tools, go to www.sjcpls.org. For additional help with the library’s resources, speak with the Youth Services Librarian at the closest branch library or bookmobile.

• St. Augustine Amphitheatre will host a movie presentation, “Andy Irons: Kissed by God,” by Teton Gravity Research, on Aug. 11. Gates open at 7 p.m. A music performance by Kelp & Oh Great Sea begins at 7:30 p.m. The film, which begins at 8:30 p.m., is about bipolar disorder and opioid addiction as seen through the life of three-time world champion surfer Andy Irons as he struggled with the same demons that millions of people worldwide battle with daily. For information about the film, go to www.tetongravity.com/films/andy-irons-kissed-by-god. The film, entertainment and parking are free. The event is presented by the Friends of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre and the Saint Augustine Film Festival. The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is at 1340C A1A South on Anastasia Island.

• The free Wednesday Night Music by the Sea concert series continues at St. Johns County Pier Park in St. Augustine Beach, but only for six more weeks. Concerts are from 7 to 9 p.m. Food service, with dinners provided by local eateries priced at $10 or less, are available starting at 6 p.m. or you may bring your own food and beverages. Pets on leashes are also welcome. Since seating is limited, concertgoers are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs.

Kenny Y & Southern Ride will perform country and southern rock Aug. 8 with dinners served by Sports Food Truck and Catering. Other concerts will feature Soulfire with 70s, 80s and pop dance music on Aug. 15, with Salt Life Food Shack the featured restaurant. Bluez Dudes with classic rock and blues will team with By Design Catering on Aug. 22. The Duffy Bishop Band will serve up R&B, rock, soul and blues music with dinner by Purple Olive on Aug. 29. The two final concerts will feature JW Gilmore performing blues and Mellow Mushroom serving dinner on Sept. 5, and the MBTS All Star Band ends the season Sept. 12 with classic rock, and food (appropriately) served by Sunset Grille.

Parking in the pier area is limited. A Park, Ride & Dance shuttle is available at St. Augustine Beach City Hall, 2200 A1A South, or Ron Parker Park, 607 Old Beach Road. Park a vehicle free and then hop aboard the shuttle provided by Friends of the Historic Scenic A1A Byway. Civic Association members ride free. Non-members pay $1 and children 12 and under ride free with a paid adult. The shuttle, which is air-conditioned, has room for coolers and beach chairs. It runs a continuous loop from 5:45 until 9:45 p.m. For a complete listing of the season concerts and participating restaurants as well as Civic Association membership, go to www.sabca.org.

• Caribbean beats and calypso rhythms combined with a blues and rock attitude featuring King Eddie with Pili Pili will highlight Anastasia State Park’s Music in the Park concert from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 19. Guests including local musicians are welcome to perform on stage during an open jam session from 5 to 6 p.m. The concert will take place at the Island Beach Grill inside the park which is located at 300 Anastasia Park Road. Food and beverages will be available. The concert is free with regular park admission ($8 per vehicle. Limit two to eight people per vehicle, $4 per single-occupant vehicle or $2 per pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.) For information, call the Ranger Station at 461-2033.

• The sea turtle nests count has increased to 436 nests along St. Johns County beaches with 311 on the North beaches, 91 on Anastasia Island and 34 at Matanzas Inlet South. Thirty of those nests have already produced more than 2,610 hatchlings. The turtle nesting season continue until Oct. 30 or until the last nest has hatched. Seasonal restrictions remain in effect including lighting and beach driving hours. For information go to www.sjcfl.us/HCP/index.aspx.

Have news to share about Anastasia Island or the adjoining areas? Send your information about people and events to staugbeachwatch@aol.com, or call 471-4851.

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